My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

she could even offer some to anyone, a group

is so pretty,

making a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for the

the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s

head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish

must sing the

close her eyes and make a

blow out

head to indicate to Julian that there was no

‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,”

who wasn’t even at table height yet looking

and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to

to say thank you!” their parents instructed,

each other’s faces. Just like that,

the light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank you,

need to be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and

so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression was

child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep

she turned and headed toward the

was inside her apartment and about

loud slam, the door was propped open by

head up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made

on business? she

the house and shut the door before surveying the

been

she took two steps back. Why are

resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it

he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your

her, forcing her back inch by

no idea

pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the